Blog
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Hiyoko-chan Graces Manhole Covers in Ikeda, Osaka
Photo: A manhole cover with an image of Hiyoko-chan (Image provided by Ikeda City in Osaka) In the city […]
Sports
Haiku for the Rugby World Cup
The Japanese started playing rugby in the late 1890s, just a few decades after the foundation of the Rugby Union [&helli
Culture
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Harvesting Rice for the Imperial Succession
In early November, one of the most important ceremonies of the new era is set to take place. […]
Blog
‘Japanglish’: Why Do Japanese Have Difficulty Speaking English?
This article was prompted after reading an explanation why the Japanese cannot speak proper English — that, supposedly
Travel
B-Boy Taisuke Electrifies Hakodate’s Sleepy Streets, Enthralls Tourists
Although Tokyo has been my base of operations for the past three or four years, my photography work still […]
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Chōshi Railway: Clickety-clacking Through the Green
“The train does not run through a real tunnel, but it will take you through a ‘green’ one” “When […]
Travel
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Autumn’s Here, and So Are This Osaka Shop’s Rabbit- Shaped Mochi
You might have heard of ohanami, the wonderfully decadent practice of admiring cherry blossoms in the spring. But have y
Sports
Reliving ‘School Wars’: World Cup 2019 Promises New Era in Japanese Rugby
What is Japan’s “national sport”? It depends on what is meant by “national,” or if we’re talking about […]
Culture
Japan Turns Competitive Pillow Fighting Into An Art Form
Pillow fighting as a sport! Most of us have enjoyed a good pillow fight at some time in our […]
Travel
[Scary Places in Japan] Doai, the Deepest Running Train Station
In Gunma Prefecture a few hours north of Tokyo lies Doai Station, the deepest train station in Japan. With […]
Travel
Ancient Scenery Gets New Audiences at Refurbished Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel
The Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel (Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture) is enveloped in chilly air as I walk through. After a
Travel
Trams Through the Blossoms: Discovering Tokyo on the Setagaya Line
(Second of Two Parts) (Read Part 1 at this link.) The second installment of this two-part […]